An electric insulator is provided that can be used between an electrified wire of an electric fence and a fence post. The electric insulator generally includes a body having a lateral aperture. The lateral aperture extends for the entire length of the body and is configured to allow a wire to be laterally inserted into, or removed from, a central channel of the electric insulator. The electric insulator may include one or more fins to assist in securing the electric insulator to a fence post.
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9. An electric insulator, comprising:
a body having a length extending from a first end of the body to a second end of the body, two lateral edges, and a lateral aperture formed in the body between the two lateral edges, wherein the lateral aperture extends for the length of the body;
a central channel extending the length of the body accessible through any one of the first end of the body, the second end of the body, and the lateral aperture; and
a first fin member and a second fin member protruding from opposite sides of the body, wherein the first fin member and the second fin member extend the length of the body.
18. A method of insulating a fence wire from a fence post, the method comprising:
providing an electric insulator in a selected length, the electric insulator comprising a central channel, a body having two lateral edges that define a lateral aperture, and fins protruding from opposite sides of the body, the lateral aperture extending an entire length of the body, the central channel accessible through the lateral aperture, the central channel and the fins extending the length of the body;
positioning the lateral aperture adjacent to the fence wire;
inserting the fence wire into the lateral aperture;
inserting the fence wire into the central channel of the electric insulator; and
securing the electric insulator to the fence post using a fastener, wherein the fastener intersects at least one of the fins.
1. An electric insulator, comprising:
a body having an exterior, a length extending from a first end of the body to a second end of the body, and two lateral edges that define a lateral aperture, wherein the two lateral edges and the lateral aperture extend for the length of the body, and wherein the two lateral edges overlap one another;
a central channel extending the length of the body accessible through any one of the first end of the body, the second end of the body, and the lateral aperture, wherein the lateral aperture describes a spiral shaped path between the exterior of the body and the central channel;
a first fin member protruding from a first side of the body; and
a second fin member protruding from a second side of the body, wherein the first fin member and the second fin member extend the length of the body.
2. The electric insulator of
3. The electric insulator of
4. The electric insulator of
5. The electric insulator of
6. The electric insulator of
7. The electric insulator of
8. The electric insulator of
10. The electric insulator of
11. The electric insulator of
12. The electric insulator of
13. The electric insulator of
14. The electric insulator of
15. The electric insulator of
16. The electric insulator of
17. The electric insulator of
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This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/444,582, filed Feb. 18, 2011, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.
The present invention relates to an insulator for use at an interface between an electrical conductor and another element. In exemplary embodiments, the insulator can be used between an electrified wire of an electric fence and a fence post.
Electrically charged fencing is often used to fence in animals, or to prevent animals from accessing certain areas. In order to provide insulation between electrified wires and support posts, dielectric brackets can be used. However, such brackets are prone to breakage, and can be expensive. As an alternative, tubular insulators are available. However, such tubular insulators require that each insulator be threaded onto the associated wire. This can result in a time consuming and inconvenient process, particularly where long runs of fencing are being installed, or where existing fencing is being repaired. It can also be desirable to add insulation to other electrical conductors. For example, vehicle trailers often include wiring that is exposed and prone to damage. In order to repair or protect such systems, tape can be applied. However, tape can be messy and unreliable. As another example, heat shrink tubing can be placed over wires and/or connectors. However, the use of such tubing requires that wires be broken or disconnected in order to place the wire in the tubing.
Embodiments of the present invention generally provide an electric insulator or sleeve having a lateral aperture formed therein. The lateral aperture allows the insulator to be installed on, or removed from, a wire, without requiring access to the ends of that wire or requiring the insulator to be cut in the field, which can result in severe bodily injury. The lateral aperture can have a coiled or spiral form, such that the edges of the insulator body overlap. As a result, when the insulation is installed on a wire and attached to a fencepost, no portion of the wire is exposed, insuring that the wire remains electrically insulated from the support post and/or fasteners.
In accordance with further embodiments of the present invention, an electric insulator that includes a pair of lateral fins is provided. The fins generally protrude from opposite sides of the insulator body. Moreover, the fins generally protrude for a distance that is sufficient to allow one or both fins to be intercepted by a fastener, for example to better secure the insulator against a fence post.
Additional features and advantages of embodiments of the present invention will become more readily apparent from the following description, particularly when taken together with the accompanying drawings.
In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, one or more fins may protrude from an exterior surface of the body 128 of the electric insulator 104. In one embodiment, fins 124 protrude from opposite sides of the body 128 of the electric insulator 104. For example, in one embodiment, a first fin member 124 protrudes from a first side of the body 128 of the electric insulator 104, and a second fin member 124 protrudes from a second side of the body 128 of the electric insulator 104. In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, a large range of fin sizes may be provided. For example, in one embodiment, the fins 124 may each protrude from the body 128 for a distance that is no less than half an outside diameter of the body 128. When the electric insulator 104 is installed, the fins 124 provide a surface that can be intercepted by the fastener 120 used to secure the electric insulator 104 and the associated wire 108 to a support post 116. This helps to secure the electric insulator 104 to prevent movement of the electric insulator 104 along the wire 108, and away from the post 116.
An electric insulator 104 in accordance with embodiments of the present invention can be formed from a dielectric material. In addition, the electric insulator 104 can be formed from a pliable or flexible material. In an exemplary embodiment, the electric insulator 104 is formed from a high density polyethylene (HDPE). Moreover, the HDPE can include an additive for improved UV resistance. In accordance with still other embodiments, the electric insulator 104 is formed from UV stable ultra high molecular weight polyethelene (UHMW-PE). An extrusion process can be used to form the electric insulator 104, and they can be cut to a desired length.
Although various examples have been given of an electric insulator 104 comprising an electric fence insulator, embodiments of the present invention are not limited to use in connection with electric fencing. For example, an electric insulator 104 in accordance with embodiments of the present invention can be used in connection with any electrical conductor. In accordance with still other embodiments, the electric insulator 104 can be formed from material that provides electrical insulation, and that shrinks in diameter when heated. In addition, an electrical insulator 104 in accordance with embodiments of the present invention does not require the inclusion of fins, for example where the tubing is not used in connection with an enveloping fastener. Accordingly, the electrical insulator 104 can comprise a body 128 with a lateral aperture 132 formed therein. Moreover, the lateral edges 136a and 136b of the electric insulator body 128 can overlap one another by an amount sufficient to prevent a gap along the lateral edge when a wire is placed in the channel 112, and heat has been applied to shrink the body 128 about the wire. In addition, an electric insulator 104 in accordance with embodiments of the present invention can be used to protect and envelope ribbon conductors or other wires or conductors that are not round in cross-section, and connectors between electrical conductors. Moreover, use of embodiments of the present invention is not limited to the insulation of electrical conductors. For example, embodiments of the present invention can be used to protect wires or connectors from abrasion or moisture.
The foregoing discussion of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. Further, the description is not intended to limit the invention to the form disclosed herein. Consequently, variations and modifications commensurate with the above teachings, within the skill or knowledge of the relevant art, are within the scope of the present invention. The embodiments described hereinabove are further intended to explain the best mode presently known of practicing the invention and to enable others skilled in the art to utilize the invention in such or in other embodiments and with various modifications required by the particular application or use of the invention. It is intended that the appended claims be construed to include alternative embodiments to the extent permitted by the prior art.
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